Chapter 770: with translation of chapter title

NO. 139: After all, he is also an artificial Ao.

The network world of surging data streams and interacting yet disjointed connections, Qiwei and the hacker beast beside her dwelled together in a corner, but the data stream that requires specific permission to see extends infinitely from where they are.

Cyber hackers can, with the aid of their own implants, use their spirit to venture into this data realm, while application beasts born in the data world can, via pathways created by humans, step out of the data side of their own lives.

As long as one is outside, the data one can access is no longer those tiny bytes; even the lowest‑level application beast can exert the ability befitting its name.

The hacker beast is fully assisting Qiwei in completing the tracing of that data.

After all, this is just a form of 'opening the box'; cyber hackers are old hands at such commissions, and they have no idea how many of these dull, boring jobs they have taken over the years.

Changing worlds is the same; the only difference is that this world imposes more varied and official restrictions on 'box weapons,' so she rarely takes such jobs anymore.

Occasionally there are commissions from fellow agents of the same agency, letting her legally open someone else's box, which gives her a sense of returning to the cyber hacker realm—and at the same time it is also a favor.

The other party is a powerful individual capable of transforming into a giant beast, and moreover a friend of David's; maintaining good relations is always right, and moreover…

Back then, even if only Rebecca would bring it up directly and not mention it further, the sting of betrayal still lay across her heart.

Even if she ultimately sent that guy's coordinates in a seemingly rescue‑like gesture, the reason for regrouping in this world remains just as fragile.

She could simply leave, just as she once lived a seemingly carefree lifestyle.

Carefree?

She strives to pursue, yet it is hopeless; she wants to believe, but gets no response.

Living amidst deceit and betrayal, aside from pretending to be carefree while alone, what other choice does she have?

But now, in this world… when her former longing is within easy reach, and when the companion she once harmed is still willing to accept her, what expression should lie beneath the mouth interface that covers half her face?

She doesn't know.

She also doesn't know how to face Rebecca's overly blunt aggressiveness.

Such a dazed state didn't last long, after all life must go on.

And in that prolonged numbness, she awaited the news that David had also arrived in this world.

The strange chronological order—David even arrived later than Lucy… Although everyone was somewhat bothered by this subtlety, since they could all appear in this world from the brink of death, it is not unreasonable to regard it as a post‑mortem world.

If it could be this peaceful, even a dream would be welcomed like sweet nectar.

But seeing David act like he had reverted to his past self over the past few days, and then actively participating in changing the mission, Qiwei somewhat feels that the cyber hackers' drunken dream‑like existence is due for a pause.

Find an opportunity to offer a more formal apology, even if it is not accepted.

She ought to live lucidly in this dream‑like world, in a way completely different from the past.

Precisely for this reason, she will without hesitation accept the commission from Aomo Lindun.

Recall, he is not only David's friend, but also the one who helped David get out of his initial condition.

This made Rebecca very displeased, and even Lucy felt somewhat helpless.

Occasionally one must also acknowledge the limits of one's own ability.

After several days of failing to enlighten her own man, she still let another man come to mediate.

Even so‑called 'locals' should not understand the worriers of transmigrants this clearly; that Aomo Lindun is undoubtedly a rather special individual.

It reminds her of that hard‑to‑not‑hate individual with many eyes.

But the difference between the two is all too obvious—Aomo Lindun always does things himself and never burns bridges after crossing.

After all, he is still a young person under twenty, Qiwei thinks he will certainly not become someone like Faraday, and she feels he might be able to give her some advice.

Putting on the airs of a so‑called 'local' to give advice to an outsider who has wasted too much time in indecision—but such a thing ultimately cannot be obtained by asking a single question.

Although that guy might really answer after just a question, the cyber hackers' habit has always been to emphasize a balanced check.

It is not mutual benefit, because it is easily betrayed.

Nor is it barter, because it is easily deceived.

The mutual bestowal of favors is merely to keep each other in check, serving as possible evidence when betrayal occurs and as effective leverage when opposition arises—although one knows one shouldn't think this way, changing the habit still takes time.

And now, at least having considered mutual benefit, she brings along the hacker beast that was forced to listen to her many worries, striving within a commission meant to conveniently obtain an answer.

Then… she felt a bit strange.

Not the strangeness of being ambushed, but the strangeness of stepping into some kind of weird world.

Dense garbled code, torn and damaged data, and all sorts of weird instruments, weapons, and vehicles that retain a relatively stable structure.

Even fighter jets are present.

Together with the aforementioned items, they float and get stuck everywhere, making the whole data space as crowded and bizarre as a space junkyard.

The cockpits of the fighter jets flicker like a poorly contacting light bulb.

【You… are hackers? Please leave quickly, hackers, before those guys notice—this is not where you should be】

——

「Finally got in, how is this school defended so strictly? 」

「After all, it's not the Land of Light, 」 Aomo said in a low voice, 「and most schools are wary of suspicious middle‑aged people. 」

「Where am I suspicious! 」 the suit jacket flung off his shoulder, and Iga Li Ren, who walked like a petty thug, shouted in dissatisfaction, inevitably drawing the gazes of many students.

And these girls also quickly began to whisper among themselves.

Unfortunately, Aomo's presence not only fails to give the girls who recognize him a correct understanding, but actually steers their whispered conversation toward a direction that will provoke the disciplinary committee chair.

But if Qingzhu's memories really come over, Sai Luo would likely feel another kind of affection from her habit of lovingly saying 'Ohs'.

「Forgive my frankness, but you are quite suspicious now; please do not put me, your guarantor, and the trainer Stuart in a difficult position. 」

Letting the current rumors spread, the already poor reputations of the two individuals will only get worse.

Aomo himself doesn't care anymore, but James is innocent.

What a fine uncle—he not only wrote a recommendation letter for Xiao Lu, but also wrote a letter of explanation to the dean to apply for an assistant, and is willing to act as guarantor for Sai Luo, an outsider, to enter the academy.

It would be even better if he didn't involve himself.

「Speaking of Stuart, what is he up to now? 」

If I had to guess, she's probably killing time near where Miss Mi Yu has class, waiting for her to get out of school.

That sounds weird.

I also think his reputation isn't great either; I hope Chaocang can turn things around.

And you?" Sai Luo turned his head, finally realizing something felt off—Aomo seemed to have a silent brown-haired girl constantly following him, glaring at him.

I had thought it was just some other passerby staring this way, but instead they naturally followed me for a short stretch and are still here.

Who is this woman?

Watch your wording, Yihe Li—when addressing a young lady, you should call her 'Miss,' or at least a classmate," Aomo worried whether he'd be kicked out by an enthusiastic trainer shortly after arriving.

Moreover, to be frank, when they first met, he and Xiao Lu should have seen each other before—along with Qian and Suzi—but they had each separately moved to a room early on so as not to interfere with the conversation.

This is Zhiji, Aimu Zhiji—I'll pick you up and take her to the infirmary for a checkup while I'm at it, which happens to be on the way.

You're actually this enthusiastic?" Sai Luo exclaimed in surprise.

" Aomo stared at him in silence, then glanced at the expressionless Zhiji, and turned back, saying, "Whether or not you're enthusiastic, I think Chaocang really needs your enthusiasm right now."

What? He got eliminated?

No, he passed—there was just a minor issue during the medical checkup.